It is with regret that I must announce the discontinuation of diamond geezer in hard copy format. Paper-based distribution has become increasingly unprofitable, and printing costs now far exceed the financial outlay expended. In future, therefore, this blog will be accessible in electronic format only. Sorry.
I know how many of you appreciate this blog's paper version. It's so convenient, isn't it? A handy sheet, printed on characteristic light grey paper, for handheld perusal at your leisure. You could read it on the bus, even in squashed travelling conditions. You could read it on the train, well out of range of any internet signal. You could read it over a cup of coffee without the tedious need to boot up a laptop. For many of you, the printed blog was the only way to go. No longer. My apologies.
It's been a difficult decision to make. Many of you will be greatly inconvenienced by this change. No longer will you be able to pick up a copy of dg from your local newsagent, nor will subscribers' letterboxes rattle to the sound of incoming blog at 7am. But there comes a time when technology outpaces tradition, and when former systems are rendered obsolete. It's time to move on. As of January 1st, this blog will be on-screen only.
I'd like to reassure subscribers that all existing commitments will be met up until the end of the year. Your hard copy of diamond geezer will be delivered as normal tomorrow, and on Friday morning (Royal Mail permitting). However, these will be the final postal deliveries before current contracts are terminated. Those whose subscriptions expire in 2011 should send a stamped-addressed envelope to the usual address for a pro-rata refund.
To access diamond geezer from Saturday onwards, some kind of display-based electronic device will be required. A Kindle or iPad would be ideal, although any old smartphone, laptop or desktop PC will do. Enter the key phrase diamondgeezer.blogspot.com into the address bar in your browser, ensuring that all words are spelt correctly and that punctuation is precise. After a few seconds the day's post will appear in pixellated form, and you will then be able to access the text by reading it, as before.
Please be warned that the electronic version of diamond geezer differs from the paper-based version in several critical ways. You may need to scroll down to read the entire post, rather than simply looking further down the piece of paper. Folding the electronic version in half and stuffing it in your pocket will be impossible. Do not try writing on the blog in red ink as this may damage your screen. Also, you will no longer be able to obtain a refund if the day's post offends or bores you.
Rest assured that over 95% of readers have already moved over to electronic distribution without ill effect. New Year 2011 is the time for the rest of you to cast aside physicality and to embrace change. See you all on the other side.
